Oscillating multitool recommendation

[CrazySanMan]

I bought the Makita from Home Depot about a month ago. I've used it twice - once to cut out the kitchen counter top for the sink and once to remove the exterior molding and door frame from my front door. The Makita is a beast, depending on the blade.

For the door frame I started with a brand new Rockwell wood and nails bimetal blade. Three finish nails cut (no wood) and every tooth of the blade was broken off. I went out and bought a DeWalt titanium coated blade ($5 cheaper than the Rockwell blade) and it ate through about 2 dozen nails like a hot knife through butter. It cut nails faster than my 18v DeWalt reciprocating saw did.

 

[branimal]

You guys have definitely convinced me to get one. Thanks for the help.

Leaning toward the Makita or the Fein.

I could probably cut door frame jambs flush to the sheet rock with an OMT.

Thanks


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[smuro04]

The Harbor Freight one works just fine for me.

No need to spend tons of money on another brand, but to each their own.

 

[bwringer]

The Harbor Freight one works just fine for me.

No need to spend tons of money on another brand, but to each their own.

Same here. It's been insanely handy. At under $20 it's a no-brainer.

Over ten times the money for a Fein ain't happening.

 

[jd_1138]

I bought the Makita from Home Depot about a month ago. I've used it twice - once to cut out the kitchen counter top for the sink and once to remove the exterior molding and door frame from my front door. The Makita is a beast, depending on the blade.

For the door frame I started with a brand new Rockwell wood and nails bimetal blade. Three finish nails cut (no wood) and every tooth of the blade was broken off. I went out and bought a DeWalt titanium coated blade ($5 cheaper than the Rockwell blade) and it ate through about 2 dozen nails like a hot knife through butter. It cut nails faster than my 18v DeWalt reciprocating saw did.

A jigsaw is probably the best tool to cut out a sink opening. Just drill a starter hole with a drill and then plunge the blade tip into the hole. More control with a jigsaw, and it's safer.

Might as well get all the saw types -- reciprocating, circular, jigsaw, OMT, even if it's a cheaper brand. Some tools are better at certain tasks than others. I think I paid $5 for my Black and Decker jigsaw at a yard sale in mint shape.

 

[chrisexv6]

Same here. It's been insanely handy. At under $20 it's a no-brainer.

Over ten times the money for a Fein ain't happening.

HD had the Fein clearanced at 100.00 late last year

 

[maxpower_hd]

I Have the Sonicrafter F80 as well. It is far better than the Master Mechanic one I had before it. I bought it because I needed it now since my old one burned out and it was the best rated one I could find locally available. I cut into 1 1/8" - 1 1/4" Oak floors in trailers where the blade on my circular saw cannot get into. The only complaint I have is the blades. They wear out fast. And I have tried different blades.

What are you guys buying for "good blades". I may have to order some on the line instead of getting them at the store.

 

[Dirtydan69]

I have the Bosch cordless 12volt which is fine for small work. I have the Milwaukee 18 volt for heavy duty. It goes through anything, with the right blade. I breeze through sediment encrusted faucets that don't want to come out easy and lav pop ups as well. Key is a $10 carbide blade.

 

[katiexoxo]

The blades are pretty cheap, so I wouldn't base the decision on how many it comes with.

Bosch blades are not cheap at all. It's like 10$ one blade.

The real question is how useful is a "multitool" ?
Besides cutting little door jambs, they are totally useless.
I made the mistake of buying one (Makita dtm51) and the only time i felt like I needed it was when I had some small wood screws that were sticking out and needed to be cut, but the multitool couldn't cut them at all! I had to use a grinder.

On top of that it vibrates like hell in your hand, it's impossible to hold on higher speed settings.

 

[chrisexv6]

Bosch blades are not cheap at all. It's like 10$ one blade.

The real question is how useful is a "multitool" ?
Besides cutting little door jambs, they are totally useless.
I made the mistake of buying one (Makita dtm51) and the only time i felt like I needed it was when I had some small wood screws that were sticking out and needed to be cut, but the multitool couldn't cut them at all! I had to use a grinder.

On top of that it vibrates like hell in your hand, it's impossible to hold on higher speed settings.

I beg to differ.

I havent actually cut ANY door jambs with mine, yet. But I have:

replaced tiles "in the field" of a wall
cut access and cooling holes into the back of an entertainment center
scraped glue, concrete, etc off subflooring, etc
cut holes for switch and receptacle boxes, exhaust fans
cut PVC
cut out rusty nails and drywall screws that were "in the way"
cut existing subfloor right back to the sill plate of an existing wall
lots of other stuff

Most of that stuff might possibly be done with other tools, but not nearly as cleanly, efficiently or safely.

 

[coachrick]

Bosch blades are not cheap at all. It's like 10$ one blade.

The real question is how useful is a "multitool" ?
Besides cutting little door jambs, they are totally useless.
I made the mistake of buying one (Makita dtm51) and the only time i felt like I needed it was when I had some small wood screws that were sticking out and needed to be cut, but the multitool couldn't cut them at all! I had to use a grinder.

On top of that it vibrates like hell in your hand, it's impossible to hold on higher speed settings.

My Fein is about 9 years old...used quite a bit when new, only once or twice a year since then. It's a heck of a detail sander/scraper as well as a cutting tool and I'm glad I have it when I need it. I'll bring it out when the "refreshing" of the patio and house trim projects start soon. Bought it back when there were NO discounts to be had...in fact, Fein was excluded from coupon promos with Rockler and Woodcraft, IIRC. Would I spend that much today???...not sure since so many clones have come along at lower prices. Impressed the heck out of a neighbor who needed to trim some baseboard in place(vertically) and the MultiMaster made short work of it(Short, like it took longer to measure and mark than it took to cut it!).

Can't speak to the others for quality or ease of use; but the Fein is fine!!!

 

[MoonRise]

The two 'best' are usually Fein or Bosch, the newest versions with the Starlock system.

Other brands usually work, some better and some not so better.

Lowest price? HF single speed model. It's LOUD, vibrates like crazy, need to use (and not lose) a hex key and two (or three) hands to change blades, not super powerful. On 'sale' (sale or coupon), it's about $10-$20. It works (somewhat). Did I mention that it is LOUD?

But the newest Fein and Bosch Starlock machines have tool-less blade changes (other machines have tool-less blade changes, so that is not the only 'difference' between brands/models), simple and quick and you don't even have to touch the 'old' blade!

And the $#^@@ 'new' (proprietary to Fein and Bosch so far) OMT blade interface works nicely. And there really is no price difference between Fein/Bosch Starlock blades and the previous version (the semi-universal OMT blade interface) Fein/Bosch blades.

And YES, get 'good' blades. **** blades are ****. And 'decent' name-brand blades seem to run about $8-$10 per blade for 'regular' blades (not diamond or carbide grit tile/grout blades). And they do make bi-metal and carbide-tipped OMT Starlock blades

But the biggest benefit (and what makes the newest Fein and Bosch OMTs with the Starlock blades the 'best' IMHO) is how 'smooth' they are. Powerful (for an OMT, they are not a 15 amp circular saw or 11 amp angle grinder, after all) and both companies seem to have really-really worked on vibration reduction (among other things).

Best high-end bang-for-the-buck IMHO? The new Bosch GOP40-30C OMT with StarlockPlus. Variable speed, 4 amp motor, LED light in the nose (not the greatest, but usually 'adequate' in dark/darker areas, nowhere near enough light to work in a shadowed area in bright sunlight though), hard case and a decent assortment of blades. Decently long(ish) power cord (no having to instantly reach for an extension cord). Pretty darn smooth and not overly loud (unlike the HF single speed version!). And the tool-less blade change? Really slick and handy and quick, no touching the (probably HOT) blade you were just using, just flip the blade change lever and the old blade pops right off, let go of the lever and push the new blade onto the nosepiece until it clicks into place, done. Slick. And the motor is soft-start, so it ramps-up in speed instead of instantly going to full speed. Nice for control when starting the tool.

The recent Starlock Feins (250W MultiTalent and 350W MultiMaster) are also very nice, with very good vibration reduction. But a bit more expensive then the (already higher-end) Bosch. And no light in the nose. If that matters to you. YMMV.

Check CPO Tools. They usually have competitive pricing. And despite the name, they also carry/sell new tools as well, not just refurbs.

 

[Sal Bandini]

I could probably cut door frame jambs flush to the sheet rock with an OMT.

Don't do this. You will ruin the jamb.

 

[dcummer]

Leaning toward the Makita or the Fein.

I could probably cut door frame jambs flush to the sheet rock with an OMT.

I bought a Fein 350Q last summer. An amazing tool not only for what it will do, but for what it won't do as well.

Will: cut door jambs literally flush to the floor, will also cut stainless steel trim and nails and anything else you can think of.

Will not: get so hot you need a glove, make your hand tingle from insane vibrations, or make you deaf from the noise.

I had no idea how useful this tool would be. Strongly recommend the Fein. Soft start and closed loop speed control, the whole tool gives off that Made in Germany - Who Cares What It Costs vibe. Awesome.

 

[branimal]

Bought the fein 350QSL. Sadly I found out they just ended the $60 worth of blades rebate!!

I need a quiet tool. My condo board is trying to force me to pay a licensed insured contractor to do work in my unit. I'm not paying a guy $$$$ to redo my floorboards, etc etc...

Thanks for all the advice.


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[NUTTSGT]

Bringing this back up for more input.

 

[Hugemoose]

It's pretty much all been covered already.

If you plan to use it a lot, any higher end brand is probably your better choice. I bought the $15 one from Harbor Freight and have used it plenty over the past year on our home renovations. The switch is stiff and *****, but it works perfectly when I need it....which is rare. However it is invaluable at times and I'm extremely glad I have it.

The important part is, as others have mentioned, is blade selection. The HF blades **** and dull quickly. I spend more on good Bosch blades than I did on the tool itself.

 

[Two Door]

Original model Rockwell Sonicrafter. Have used it and used it, and it just keeps on working.

As indicated above, it has all been said, and it is hard to go wrong. In my opinion it is easier to overpay for this tool than to get one that is too cheap, but if you lean to that side of the equation you can probably afford it.

 

[mmason7764]

Happy Makita cordless owner here. Once you have a selection of good blades, uses for the multitool will keep popping up. My favorite so far is scraping surfaces with the blade with no teeth. Saves so much effort and time.

Mark

 

[NUTTSGT]

It's pretty much all been covered already.


The important part is, as others have mentioned, is blade selection. The HF blades **** and dull quickly. I spend more on good Bosch blades than I did on the tool itself.

Just curious if anybody else had something to add. I bought a performax from Menard's and used it for the first time the other day. While using it, the blade appears to have shifted and doesn't sit straight. It now faces off the side but not directly forward. It has a thirty day guarantee so it'll be going back. I was looking to replace it with something better.

I was looking to get a Dremel multi tool to replace the one going back.

I get the blade thing too, appears to be a consensus on that.

 

[mrjaw14]

on my bosch the blades can be installed in several orientations. i rarely use it straight. i think the tool is fine. the blade may be installed incorrectly?

100% on the Bosch blades. oddly enough I can't find the carbide metal blades in stock just about anywhere I look. They are $15 EACH. ouch. but I will buy 2-3 of them when I can get my mits on them

 

[Hugemoose]

on my bosch the blades can be installed in several orientations. i rarely use it straight. i think the tool is fine. the blade may be installed incorrectly?

100% on the Bosch blades. oddly enough I can't find the carbide metal blades in stock just about anywhere I look. They are $15 EACH. ouch. but I will buy 2-3 of them when I can get my mits on them

I just bought a 3 pack of those for $40! They are $20 in individual packs. They certainly aren't cheap, but I have plaster and lath walls with a sh*t ton of nails! They are always the best blade for the job.

 

[NUTTSGT]

on my bosch the blades can be installed in several orientations. i rarely use it straight. i think the tool is fine. the blade may be installed incorrectly?

I had the blade straight to start, now it sits like 15° to either the left or right of center. It's like the blade mount has rotated on its shaft.

 

[Copymutt]

Don't even know what brand I have without checking but, I have the opposite opinion of some posters here. There are times when it makes an impossible job a pleasure. Recently removed undercoating from a 60 year old vehicle frame, floor supports and underside of hood. No other tool would do it as well.
Next task for it will be to clean out the gaps between deck boards.
Jim

 

[jeff_gates]

Dewalt 20V love it

 

[jd_1138]

Don't even know what brand I have without checking but, I have the opposite opinion of some posters here. There are times when it makes an impossible job a pleasure. Recently removed undercoating from a 60 year old vehicle frame, floor supports and underside of hood. No other tool would do it as well.
Next task for it will be to clean out the gaps between deck boards.
Jim

Yeah I love my Ryobi corded multi-tool. It's already paid for itself like 30 times over, and I am not even a pro tradesman. I just fix stuff around here and to help out a few older relatives and friends.

I restored 2 old sheds recently. I used it to cleanly cut old rotted trim off in a nice straight line (I used a speed square to make a line), so I could replace the trim. That's just one use. I helped a friend trim out his kitchen. Used it there.

 

[crewchief888]

i have the single speed model from HF. it's still working after 3 or 4 years of my abuse.
originally bought it during a house renovation project, i figured i'd just need it this one time, but found it useful for a variety of things.

i do need to get some new blades, all mine are pretty much junk.

i'll add the blades to my supplies list.

 

[branimal]

I got the fein $200 model - they had a bonus blade rebate going on at the time. 1 year of abuse and no complaints. Love it.


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